Some plants can't survive the coldest winter temperatures, but a layer of snow can protect plant roots and stems from a damaging freeze.

Written by

Denny McKeown
Enquirer contributor

If you look at a calendar you'll see were still a week away from the start of winter. To most of us winter arrived last weekend.

We have already had several inches of snow. We have also had temperatures well below the average for this time of the year. This may cause some of you to be concerned about the hardiness of your plants. The United States Department of Agriculture has a map designating temperature zones. The map is based on the average annual minimum winter temperature, divided into 10- degree Fahrenheit zones. The 2012 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is the standard by which gardeners and ...